When artist Zhou Mingcong released “Bi Shang Guan” in 2019, few imagined its journey beyond the studio. Drawing on the vivid murals and ancient melodies of Dunhuang, he fused traditional scales with modern electronic beats into a seamless new sound.
Over the past year, the track sky-rocketed on short-video platforms, amassing more than 1.5 billion streams worldwide. Fans across G20 nations have created hundreds of covers, proving that age-old culture can thrive in today’s digital arena.
This viral smash is part of a rising wave dubbed “Chinese-style music,” where instruments like the guzheng and pipa meet synths and sampling. Playlists show these cross-cultural tracks climbing global charts, attracting young listeners hungry for authenticity.
Zhou’s creative journey—from exploring desert-cliff caves to reimagining folklore in his studio—has become a blueprint for blending heritage with innovation. Data insights reveal spikes in related search terms and playlist adds the moment new clips drop online.
Experts say this trend signals more than a musical fad: it reflects a generation seeking deeper roots while staying digitally connected. For entrepreneurs and tech builders, the lesson is clear—honoring the past can spark fresh global engagement.
As “Bi Shang Guan” continues to resonate from streaming apps to virtual concert halls, its success shows that when tradition meets technology, the beat can echo across borders—one melody at a time.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
